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http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/tighten-gun-rules-most-virginians-say-poll
Most Virginians say they want to close the so-called gun show loophole that permits some gun sales without criminal background checks, and they dislike the notion of someone carrying a concealed firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol, according to a new poll.
The survey, conducted by Christopher Newport University's Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy, found that eight of every 10 likely voters interviewed wanted to change a state law that allows someone to buy a firearm from an unlicensed seller at a gun show without first undergoing a criminal background check.
If the same sale is between a buyer and a licensed dealer at a show, a background check is required.
Support for closing the loophole was shared by people of all ages and political and ethnic backgrounds - and in all regions of the state, the poll found.
Almost 17 percent of those polled said they favor keeping the law as it is.
A strong majority of those polled - 68.4 percent - also do not want Virginia to allow people with concealed-weapons permits to bring their firearms into eateries that sell alcohol. More than a quarter of those surveyed - 26.3 percent - disagreed, saying the ban should be lifted.
Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed legislation to legalize the practice but failed to muster the votes to override Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's veto.
In his veto message in March, Kaine noted the objection of law enforcement officials to the bill, saying it "puts the public, the employees and our public safety officers at risk."
However, legislators won a partial victory because they overrode Kaine's veto of a bill - now a state law - that permits retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons in restaurants where alcohol is served.
The gun show loophole has been a divisive issue in this year's governor's race.
State Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate, lost the backing of the National Rifle Association because of his support for requiring the background checks.
Republican candidate Bob McDonnell, who was endorsed by the NRA, opposes closing the loophole.
The survey, which was conducted Oct. 8-13 as part of a joint effort by The Virginian-Pilot, WVEC-TV and CNU, also found that a majority of people want the redrawing of lines for state and federal legislative districts to be done by a bipartisan commission rather than the General Assembly.
About 63 percent of those polled said setting boundaries for General Assembly and congressional districts, which are redrawn every 10 years when a new U.S. census is completed, should be handled by a bipartisan commission. About 22 percent said state legislators should continue to set the boundaries.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/tighten-gun-rules-most-virginians-say-poll
Most Virginians say they want to close the so-called gun show loophole that permits some gun sales without criminal background checks, and they dislike the notion of someone carrying a concealed firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol, according to a new poll.
The survey, conducted by Christopher Newport University's Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy, found that eight of every 10 likely voters interviewed wanted to change a state law that allows someone to buy a firearm from an unlicensed seller at a gun show without first undergoing a criminal background check.
If the same sale is between a buyer and a licensed dealer at a show, a background check is required.
Support for closing the loophole was shared by people of all ages and political and ethnic backgrounds - and in all regions of the state, the poll found.
Almost 17 percent of those polled said they favor keeping the law as it is.
A strong majority of those polled - 68.4 percent - also do not want Virginia to allow people with concealed-weapons permits to bring their firearms into eateries that sell alcohol. More than a quarter of those surveyed - 26.3 percent - disagreed, saying the ban should be lifted.
Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed legislation to legalize the practice but failed to muster the votes to override Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's veto.
In his veto message in March, Kaine noted the objection of law enforcement officials to the bill, saying it "puts the public, the employees and our public safety officers at risk."
However, legislators won a partial victory because they overrode Kaine's veto of a bill - now a state law - that permits retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons in restaurants where alcohol is served.
The gun show loophole has been a divisive issue in this year's governor's race.
State Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate, lost the backing of the National Rifle Association because of his support for requiring the background checks.
Republican candidate Bob McDonnell, who was endorsed by the NRA, opposes closing the loophole.
The survey, which was conducted Oct. 8-13 as part of a joint effort by The Virginian-Pilot, WVEC-TV and CNU, also found that a majority of people want the redrawing of lines for state and federal legislative districts to be done by a bipartisan commission rather than the General Assembly.
About 63 percent of those polled said setting boundaries for General Assembly and congressional districts, which are redrawn every 10 years when a new U.S. census is completed, should be handled by a bipartisan commission. About 22 percent said state legislators should continue to set the boundaries.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com